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College Goal Sunday event offers free help with college financial aid forms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia students can get free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other college financial aid forms during the state’s annual College Goal Sunday event. College Goal Sunday financial aid workshops will be held February 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 25 locations.

“Completing the FAFSA is a critical step for anyone considering going to college,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director of Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, said. “Students must submit this form in order to be considered for a variety of financial aid programs including state and federal grants, scholarships and loans.”

Anyone who is planning to pursue some form of education and training beyond high school within the next year should complete the FAFSA. That includes high school seniors, current college students and adults thinking about earning a degree or skill certificate. College Goal Sunday workshops are open to students of any age or income-level.

The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) coordinates the event. Students can pre-register, find locations and view a list of items to bring by visiting www.cfwv.com, the state’s free college- and career-planning website. Students can also receive free help by calling the state’s financial aid hotline at 888-825-5707.

Students and families should bring a driver’s license, both the student’s and parent’s Social Security number, 2015 tax records (or 2014 records if 2015 forms are not yet available), 2015 untaxed income records and information about investments and bank account balances.

All information that is provided will be submitted through the federal government’s secure FAFSA network. Volunteers at College Goal Sunday sites are professionals who will keep students’ and families’ financial information and personal details private.

CFWV is coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and supported by the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. College Goal Sunday is made possible through the efforts of more than 350 volunteers and the resources of public and non-profit organizations and businesses across the state, including the West Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and college access organizations such as TRIO and GEAR UP.

College Goal Sunday workshops will be offered locally at the following locations:

West Virginia Northern Community College, Wheeling

West Virginia Northern Community College – New Martinsville Campus, New Martinsville